FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness
and Sin
A BROAD SUBJECT
Forgiveness relates to:
 The atonement
 Sin & its punishment death
 God’s character
 Sacrifice & the Law of Moses
 Fellowship
 Salvation by grace
 Faith, Hope & Love
SIN DEFINED
What is sin?
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the
law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
I John 3:4
What is the law?
And this is his commandment, That we should
believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and
love one another, as he gave us commandment.
I John 3:23
SIN DEFINED BY WHAT IT ISN’T
Sin is not Righteousness
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not
unto death.
I John 5:17
Sin is not Faith
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because
he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of
faith is sin.
Romans 14:23
SIN IS:
Failing to believe (I Jn 3:4 & 23)
Failing to love as Christ loved (I Jn 3:4 & 23)
Anything that is not Godly (I Jn 5:17)
Anything that contradicts our faith (Rom
14:23)
 Not just actions, also thoughts (I Jn 3:15)
 Not just what we do, also what we don’t do
(Jas 4:17)
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DEGREES OF SIN?
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which
are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told you in time past, that
they which do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
DEGREES OF SIN?
For he that said, Do not commit adultery,
said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit
no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art
become a transgressor of the law.
James 2:11
THE EFFECTS OF SIN
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Death (Rom 6:23)
Rupturing of relationship with God
(Isa 59:2)
Rupturing of relationships with others
(Matt 5:23-24)
Reinforcement of sinful behaviour
(I Jn 2:11)
GOD’S VIEW OF SIN
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It is by definition the opposite of
God (Matt 19:17)
His punishment for it is everlasting
death (Rom 6:23)
Its emphasis in the Law of Moses
The images used to symbolise sin in
scripture
IMAGES OF SIN - DANIEL
IMAGES OF SIN - REVELATION
IMAGES OF SIN – LEVIATHAN &
BEHEMOTH
IMAGES OF SIN – PIG MIRE
IMAGES OF SIN – DOG VOMIT
IMAGES OF SIN - LEPROSY
TERMS DEFINED
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Sin = transgression, iniquity,
unrighteousness
Mortality = subject to death, and
inclined toward sin
Faith = belief
Justification = imputed righteousness,
made righteous, forgiven
GOD IS FORGIVENESS
Exodus 34:6-6: Yahweh, Yahweh, El, merciful and gracious, long
suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy
for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin
Numbers 14:18 Yahweh is long suffering and of great mercy,
forgiving iniquity and transgression
Deuteronomy 4:31 For Yahweh thy God is a merciful God
Psalm 108:3 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger,
and plenteous in mercy
Ephesians 2:4 God who is rich in mercy, for his great love
wherewith he loved us
I Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten
us again
‘EARNING’ FORGIVENESS
‘UNCONDITIONAL’ FORGIVENESS
Grace means there is nothing we can do
to make God love us more … And grace
means there is nothing we can do to make
God love us less – no amount of racism or
pride or pornography or adultery, or even
murder
What’s so Amazing About Grace? p70
UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS?
With some people it is fashionable to say
that pardon is full and free and
unconditional. It is full and free but there
are conditions.
Dennis Gillett
Genius of Discipleship p27
3 PRINCIPLES OF FORGIVENESS
1. Faith
 we must believe that God has forgiven us
 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness Galatians 3:6
2. Repentance
 we have to change (but what do we have to change?)
 Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins Acts 2:38
3. Forgiving Attitude
 we have to forgive others
 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven
forgive your trespasses Mark 11:26